After completing two master’s programs in arts management, the topic of art and its relationship to life is of particular interest to me and has been the topic of many a paper and lengthy discussion with colleagues. But in the case of the weekly WordPress photo challenge “Life Imitates Art,” I’m abstaining from profundity of any kind and delving into this photo challenge quite literally, utilizing the immensity of my library of travel photography as a significant asset. I mean, doesn’t everybody love taking silly statue photos?
On that note, I now introduce you to the tip of the iceberg of my silly statue photo collection. I apologize in advance.
Statues with lots of personality seem to be commonplace in Budapest, including this one just down from St. Stephen’s Basilica. Here my friend seems to have transformed herself into the pot-bellied double-breasted policeman.
My lovely arts management colleague Valentina interacts with a graceful statue in Trieste as if she were one of the group.
This is one of a series of shots created with an obscure animal statue, me performing a selfie, and my friend Dan in the background responding to the serious posture of the animal. This polar bear is at the Venice Arsenale. We crack ourselves up.
Here are Dan and I again, this one with a giant “rhinocéros” statue in front of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
My Dad at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. He’s the best model.
Here in Stockholm, art imitates life with this statue of a man popping out of a manhole as people whiz by, as if he were about to fall into stride right behind them.
Another moment in beautiful Stockholm where art imitates life. This evening I was strolling through Old Town on my own, and this statue was so full of life that he almost transformed into my travel companion.
My beautiful friend Lauren seemingly the human embodiment of the whimsical beauty of this flower mural in Dozza, Italy.
Interesting and fun series. Do you think Europe has more public art than the US? It seems it to me, but you have travelled more, so I expect have a better sense of it.
Good question, thanks for asking Eliza! 🙂 Yes, Europe definitely has more public art. But, most of it is tied to history of the region. In my limited experience, contemporary public art faces similar challenges in Europe that it does in the US. For some reason people are quite critical of contemporary public art…as if they feel that art in public spaces is an infringement of their space and comes with an expectation of their personal acceptance of the art. Historical figures are fine, but abstract, non traditional art is a whole other thing. Not always, obviously, but more than you would think. So weird! I’m glad you enjoyed the series…:))
Yes, of course! This would be the most important question wouldn’t it. Thanks for bringing it up. 🙂 Yes, I think so…I think we can sense it, whether or not we’ve ever thought it through. Thanks for stopping by…:)
Lovely photo series and some varied statues. May I ask why there is a statue of President Reagan in Budapest?
Good question, I wondered the same thing! You inspired me to look it up: http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/ronald-reagan-and-other-hungarian-heroes and scroll down about half-way.
Interesting and fun series. Do you think Europe has more public art than the US? It seems it to me, but you have travelled more, so I expect have a better sense of it.
Good question, thanks for asking Eliza! 🙂 Yes, Europe definitely has more public art. But, most of it is tied to history of the region. In my limited experience, contemporary public art faces similar challenges in Europe that it does in the US. For some reason people are quite critical of contemporary public art…as if they feel that art in public spaces is an infringement of their space and comes with an expectation of their personal acceptance of the art. Historical figures are fine, but abstract, non traditional art is a whole other thing. Not always, obviously, but more than you would think. So weird! I’m glad you enjoyed the series…:))
Awesome, awesome, awesome collection of candid photos alongside art. The way you take picture is art in itself. 😉
You’re the best!!! :)) I so appreciate your feedback…
I love your take on how life imitates art. As I am sure art has imitated life every so often… The question is of course if art is life?
Yes, of course! This would be the most important question wouldn’t it. Thanks for bringing it up. 🙂 Yes, I think so…I think we can sense it, whether or not we’ve ever thought it through. Thanks for stopping by…:)
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